Citrus fruit squeezer with centrifugation of the squeezed product

ABSTRACT

Appliance for squeezing citrus fruits with centrifugation of the product squeezed, composed of a milling cone ( 1 ) and a centrifuging bowl ( 2 ) provided with holes and/or slots ( 3 ) for filtering the juice or squeezed product which goes to a collecting container ( 4   a   , 4   b ), those cone ( 1 ) and bowl ( 2 ) are independent to each other, detachable and having independent rotation, being associated to different shafts ( 5  and  6 ) associated by respective drives ( 7  and  8 ) coupled to a single electric motor ( 9 ) or to several electric motors ( 10, 11 ) independent, cone ( 1 ) and centrifuging bowl ( 2 ) being driven at different speeds in same or opposite direction, and there exists a device for willingly annulling cone ( 1 ) or bowl ( 2 ) operation. The collecting bowl ( 4   a   , 4   b ) includes an external annular tank ( 17   a   , 17   b ) for collecting an excess of pulp thrown from bowl ( 2 ).

This is a nationalization of PCT/ES00/00231 filed Jun. 29, 2000 andpublished in Spanish.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention refers to an appliance for squeezing citrus fruits andcentrifuging the product squeezed, in which a rotatory milling cone anda rotatory centrifuging bowl are constituted by two respectivelyindependent elements, which are detachable and removable for theircleaning, the said elements being independent to each other in theirrotation and provided with speeds respectively adapted for milling andcentrifuging.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The appliance disclosed is of the kind in which at least the saidrotatory milling cone is driven by a small electric motor.

As devices of the state of the art, EP-A-423457 can be noted in whichthe cone is rotating at the centre of a stationary filtering bowl, andEP-A-623301, in which there exists. two twin devices, each formed by acone and bowl integrated in a single rotatory unit.

On the market other appliances are also known in which as well themilling/squeezing cone as the said bowl form a single unit provided withrotating motion, and holes and/or slots are provided at the bottom ofthe bowl to assist juice from the product resulting from the millingcone action passing strained through them, the said juice, free of thelargest pulp pieces goes to a collecting container located under thesaid bowl while the said pieces of pulp remain in the bowl. As generallythe external diameter of the bowl is significantly wider that thediameter of the cone, the external peripheral wall of the bowl reaches,for a same angular speed, a linear speed substantially higher than thelinear speed at the base of the cone, which provides an additionalcentrifuging and filtering action to the pieces of pulp located in thebowl, through holes and/or slots additionally provided for that purposein the said external peripheral wall of the bowl.

In order to further enhance the said additional centrifuging action onthe product squeezed, ES U-9302794 discloses an appliance for squeezingcitrus fruits comprising a rotatory milling cone which forms a singlepart with a bowl comprising a bottom and an external peripheral wallprovided with holes and slots for filtering and centrifuging the productsqueezed, which is collected in a container. The said part is driven byan electric motor which is activated by downwardly and axially pushingthe supporting shaft thereof on a pushbutton for connecting the electricmotor to the mains. The appliance shows the feature of adopting twodifferentiated speed rating, one with slow rotation and high millingtorque and another with quick rotation and high centrifuging power. Thisappliance possesses a mechanism based on gearing, belts and a clutchwith which the said slow or quick rotation is selected. Thus,selectively, a juice only strained by gravity from the product squeezedor a juice which is additionally centrifuged can be obtained. Anothersimilar embodiment is disclosed in ES P 8902260.

In above appliances, the fact that the milling cone forms part of thebowl is a drawback because it means that both elements rotate at sametime and with same speed, high or slow, that is to say that whensqueezing, the bowl also rotates at a slow speed, not suitable for agood centrifuging; when centrifuging, the cone also rotates at highspeed, which is not suitable for a good milling and squeezing.Subsequently, a time is required for a good milling and another time fora quick centrifuging, each element wasting the rotation characteristicsof the other. In addition, between the bottom of the bowl and the conehardly accessible corners are formed which make cleaning difficult.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide an appliance forsqueezing citrus fruits with centrifugation of the product squeezedcomprising independent elements for each function and provided withrotating characteristics respectively suitable for the function of eachelement, that is to say: a slow speed with high driving torque for amilling cone and a relatively quick speed with a reduced driving torquefor a centrifuging bowl.

Another object of this invention is to provide an appliance forsqueezing citrus fruits and centrifuging the product squeezed which hasmeans allowing, according to the convenience, to operate only thesqueezing function, only the centrifuging function or both functions intime, with a subsequent saving of energy and an improvement to theversatility appliance.

Another additional object of the invention is to provide a squeezingappliance in which the parts which are contacting the fruit, pulp orjuice, that is to say, a squeezing cone, a centrifuging bowl and acollecting container, are easily detachable and removable and having nocorners hardly accessible for their cleaning.

These objects, according to this invention are essentially achieved byproviding an appliance for squeezing citrus fruits and centrifuging theproduct squeezed provided with a milling cone and a centrifuging bowlindependent to each other, and provided with rotating characteristicsindependent to each other, fully or partly mounted within a staticcollecting container, as well that cone as that bowl being removable,for example, for their cleaning. The said rotation characteristicsindependent to each other, of the milling cone and the centrifuging bowlare achieved associating the said elements to different shafts,independently driven by different drives connected to a sole motor orseveral independent motors. Preferably, the said independent shafts ofthe cone and the bowl are coaxial, the shaft of the cone being in aninternal position and protruding at both ends of the shaft of the bowl,which is hollow for that purpose. The cone and the bowl are coupled totheir respective shafts by easily releasable embedments.

When both shafts are connected through their respective drives to a solemotor, coupling/uncoupling mechanical or electromechanical means areprovided for selectively activating only the squeezing function, onlythe centrifuging function or both functions at same time. In the eventthat both shafts are connected through their respective drives to twoindependent electric motors, electric connecting/disconnecting meanshave been provided, such as an external switch or selector forselectively activating the said functions. Preferably, the main drive isactivated in a very well-known way with an internal pushbutton which ispressed by a downwards motion of the shaft of the bowl when a portion offruit to be squeezed is applied on it, being automatically deactivatedwhen the pressure on the said application stops.

To prevent splashing produced by an eventual excess of pulp in the bowlduring a centrifuging action collecting means have been provided whichcomprise a small perimetric tank located close to a top edge of a sidewall of the said collecting container, the said tank being optionallyprovided with an annular cover.

SHORT EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of this invention shall be best understood fromfollowing detailed description of non limitative examples of embodimentthereof, the description of which includes references to the drawingsappended in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified view, in sectional side elevation, exploded, ofan example of embodiment of the squeezing appliance of this invention,comprising a collecting container having a blind bottom and a soledriving motor;

FIG. 2 is a simplified view, in sectional elevation, of another exampleof embodiment of the squeezing appliance of this invention, comprising acollecting container having a blind bottom with a tank for collectingthe pulp provided with a cover and two driving motors; and

FIG. 3 is a simplified view in sectional elevation, of a further exampleof embodiment of the squeezing appliance of this invention, comprising acollecting container with. a tank collecting the pulp and with an outletpipe at its bottom, with a sole driving motor and a coupling/uncouplingdevice for the centrifuging function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT

It is important that, although in the three figures attached threedifferent examples of embodiment of this invention are shown, each ofthem grouping given characteristics it should also be feasible to embodythe appliance of the invention grouping another combination of the saidcharacteristics, for example, comprising a collecting container with anoutlet pipe at its bottom and without pulp collecting tank, and with twodriving motors and so on.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the squeezing appliance of this inventionbasically comprises a rotatory milling cone 1, a centrifuging bowl 2provided with holes and/or slots 3, at its bottom and externalperipheral wall for filtering and centrifuging the product squeezed, acollecting bowl 4 a for collecting the juice from the said productsqueezed, and a housing 16 which houses different mechanisms for drivingthe said cone 1 and the said bowl 2.

In this invention, it must be pointed out that the said milling cone 1and centrifuging bowl 2 are constituted by respective elementsindependent to each other, detachable and removable, for example, forwashing them, and which may independently rotate at same or differentspeeds and in same or opposite direction. The collecting container 4 ahas a closed bottom and, although it is stationary, it is likewiseremovable for pouring the juice contained in it and cleaning itthereafter.

From the top part of housing 16 spin axis 5 and 6 are protruding,concentric to each other, which within housing 16 are coupled to asecond-motion shaft 13 through respective drives 7 and 8, the saidsecond-motion shaft 13 is in turn coupled to a single electric motor 9by means of a gearing such as that formed by a pinion 9 a and a gearwheel 9 b.

In working position, cone 1 remains associated to the said shaft 5,which is the internal shaft, through fitting a hole with a protrusion 22and an external part 23 coupled to the said shaft 5 while bowl 2 remainsassociated to shaft 6, which is the external shaft and therefore it ishollow, through gearing a ring bevel gear 24 close to the centralpassage of the bowl and a conical dentate surface 25 integral with thesaid shaft 6. The said external part 23 coupled to shaft 5 in additioncomprises a covering hood 26 protecting against the entrance of foreignsubstances an area in which shaft 5 protrudes outwardly shaft 6. Thatarrangement of shafts 5 and 6 and the way in which cone 1 and bowl 2 areassociated to each other is analogous in the examples of embodiment ofFIG. 2 and 3.

In the example of FIG. 1, shaft 5 of cone 1, which as it was said isinternal, possesses close to its lower end a follower wheel 7 b gearedwith a pinion 7 a integral with the said second-motion shaft 13. Formingan integral part with the said pinion 7 a, there is the said gear wheel9 b geared in turn with driving pinion 9 a, coming from the shaft of thesaid electric motor 9.

On the other hand, shaft 6 of bowl 2, which externally surrounds a partof the said shaft 5 of the cone, has at its lower end a follower pulley8 b linked by means of a belt 8 c, which in this example is of the torickind, and another driving pulley 8 a also integral with second-motionshaft 13. Note that the said driving pulley 8 a has a larger diameterthan follower pulley 8 b, while driving wheel 7 a has a smaller diameterthan follower wheel 7 b therefore drive 8 of centrifuging bowl 2 carriesout a speed multiplication with a decrease of the torque with respect tosecond-motion shaft 13 while drive 7 of the cone carries out a speeddemultiplication with an increase of the torque with respect to samesecond-motion shaft 13. In addition, drive 7 by means of a gearing of astep provides a direction of rotation of outlet shaft 5 opposite to thedirection of the rotation of outlet shaft of drive 8 formed by a pair ofpulleys and one belt.

Thus, with this organisation and provided with those wheels having aconvenient number of teeth and the said pulleys having suitablediameters, simultaneous rotation of cone 1 and bowl 2 will be obtained,with different speeds and in opposite directions, and more concretely, aslow rotation speed for the milling action of the former and a quickcentrifuging speed for the later.

As mentioned above, removable collecting container 4 a has a closedbottom so that all the juice from the product squeezed, filtered andcentrifuged is accumulated within it, for which it has a deeperperipheral area which is arranged surrounding at least partly housing 16provided to house the mechanisms, and incorporates a handle and apouring pipe, not shown in the figures.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a squeezing appliance provided with cone 1,centrifuging bowl 2, collecting container 4 and a housing 16 from whichshafts 5 and 6 protrude coaxial analogous to those of FIG. 1. For sameparts same numerals have been used.

However, here two electric motors 10 and 11 has been arranged, one fordriving cone 1 and the other for driving centrifuging bowl 2. Thus, apinion 10 a, integral with motor 10 output shaft drives a gear wheel 10b integral with a second-motion shaft 13, from which starts drive 7 forinternal shaft 5 formed by a pinion 7 a and a follower wheel 7 b,analogous to that of FIG. 1. On the contrary, drive 8 of bowl 2,composed by pulleys 8 a and 8 b and belt 8 c, transmit the motion from asecond-motion shaft 13 b, which is driven by electric motor 11 through adrive formed by a pinion 11 a and a crown 11 b. Preferably, motors 10and 11 have available independent activating means, not shown, such asan external selector allowing to shift the current towards one or theother motor, or to both of them at same time, or to connect/disconnectone of the motors. With it same advantages are achieved as with theembodiment of FIG. 1 and the possibility is also provided to operateonly one element, cone 1 or centrifuging bowl 2, as fit.

In this example of embodiment of FIG. 2 collecting container 4 a inaddition comprises, close to the external part of a top edge of a sidewall 19 a thereof, a perimetric annular recess-shaped tank 17 a, limitedby an external side wall 21 a, provided for collecting an eventualexcess of pulp outwardly thrown above a top edge of a peripheral sidewall 20 of the said centrifuging bowl 2 coming from. an excessiveaccumulation of pulp in it caused by a continuous action of fruitmilling and centrifuging. In a suitable way, the said top edge ofperipheral side wall 20 of centrifuging bowl 2 is at a higher level thatthe top edge of side wall 19 a of collecting container 4 a, and lowerthan the top edge of the said external side wall 21 a of the said tank17 a, which comprises a bottleneck area to let the pouring pipe (notshown) pass and includes an annular cover 18 to prevent that the saidexcess of pulp collected in the said tank 17 a overflows when the juicecontained in the collecting container 4 a is poured.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a squeezing appliance is shown, provided withcone 1, centrifuging bowl 2 and housing 16 from which shafts 5 and 6protrude coaxial analogous to those of FIG. 1. For same parts samenumerals have been used.

In this example, the container is a shallow collecting container 4 bwhich has in an area at its bottom, close to the periphery, an outlethole or pipe 27 which ends in a side hollow recess 28 of housing 16 tohouse the mechanisms, adapted for placing a container, such as a glassfor the juice 50 from the product squeezed, filtered and centrifuged,the said collecting container 4 b being also removable for its cleaning.

Also in this case, collecting container 4 b comprises a perimetricannular recess-shaped tank 17 b, limited by an external side wall 21 b.A top edge of peripheral side wall 20 of centrifuging bowl 2 remains ata higher level than a top edge of side wall 19 b of collecting container4 b and lower than a top edge of the said external side wall 21 b of thesaid tank 17 b.

With respect to cone 1 and centrifuging bowl 2 drive, the mechanisms areanalogous to those of FIG. 1 except that in the said driving pulley 8 aof the drive of bowl 2 there is coupled a second-motion shaft 13 throughan axial coupling, such as an embedment 29, with driving wheel 7 a,which in turn is coupled to the said second-motion shaft 13 so that itis integral with it as for the rotation by sliding in its axialdirection, a device being provided for moving driving wheel 7 a alongsecond-motion shaft 13 a length sufficient for not ungearing followerwheel 7 b but sufficient for coupling/uncoupling the said axial coupling29 between driving pulley 8 a and driving wheel 7 a. According to theexample of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the said device for movingdriving wheel 7 a comprises a lever 14 hand operated from outside,although it can also comprise, for example, an electromechanicalactuator operated with an external switch. Although it has not beenillustrated, also a device for coupling/uncoupling the drive of millingcone 1 can be provided so that the appliance would only operate assqueezer and strainer.

In any of above cases and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the activation ofthe device operation, that is to say milling cone 1, centrifuging bowlor both elements at same time, is carried out in a conventional way whenapplying a portion of fruit on the said cone pressing downwards on it.With it, cone 1 is moving downwards driving shaft 5, the lower end ofwhich contacts through a lever 30, a pushbutton or lever of a switchlever 12 which connect to the mains, activating the said electric motors9, 10 or 10, 11. For deactivating them it is enough to stop pressing soa spring own of the said switch 12 drives back the pushbutton to theclosed position stopping the said connection to the mains and pushingshaft 5 and with it cone 1 newly upwards.

Some examples of embodiment having been disclosed and illustrated, it isstated that the squeezing appliance of this invention can be embodiedwith more convenient materials, for a more suitable size and withsuitable means, the scope of all being defined in appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Appliance for squeezing citrus fruits andcentrifuging the product squeezed, of the type comprising a removable,rotating milling cone (1) partly located within a removable, rotatingcentrifuging bowl (2) having apertures (3) at its bottom and/orperipheral wall (20) to provide filtering by centrifuging the squeezedproduct, said bowl (2) being placed in a removable collecting container(4 a, 4 b) seated on a housing (16) containing electromechanical membersincluding at least one motor to independently operate coaxially rotatingoutput shafts (5, 6), said cone (1) and centrifuging bowl (2) beingcoupled in a working position to said shafts (5, 6), respectively,characterized in that the shafts (5, 6) are coupled to said at least onemotor through respective drives (7, 8), a device being comprised forvoluntarily stopping the operation of one of said drives (7, 8) ofshafts (5, 6) to let the other of said drives (7, 8) of shafts (5, 6) tooperate alone.
 2. Squeezing appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that said collecting container (4 a, 4 b) comprises,close to the external part of a top edge of a side wall (19 a, 19 b)thereof, a perimetric annular recess shaped tank (17 a., 17 b) limitedby an external side wall (21 a, 21 b) provided for collecting aneventual excess of pulp outwardly thrown above a top edge of aperipheral side wall (20) of said centrifuging bowl (2) due to anexcessive accumulation of pulp therein, said top edge of peripheral sidewall (20) of centrifuging bowl (2) being at a higher level than said topedge of side wall (19 a, 19 b) of collecting container (4 a, 4 b) andlower than a top edge of said external side wall (21 a, 21 b) of saidtank (17 a, 17 b).
 3. Squeezing appliance according to claim 2 when itdepends on claim 17, characterized in that said annular tank (17 a)comprises a bottleneck area to let a pouring spout pass and includes anannular cover (18) to prevent that said excess of pulp collected in saidtank (17 a) overflows when the juice contained in the collectingcontainer (4 a) is poured.
 4. Squeezing appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that said stopping device is for voluntarily stoppingthe operation of said drive (8) of shaft (6) associated to centrifugingbowl (2), so that the appliance operates as a squeezing-centrifugingappliance or only as a squeezing appliance.
 5. Squeezing applianceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said stopping device is forvoluntarily stopping the operation of at least said drive (7) of shaft(5) associated to cone (1) so that the appliance operates as asqueezing-centrifuging appliance or only as a centrifuging appliance. 6.Squeezing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that saidstopping device is for voluntarily stopping the operation of either saiddrive (8) of shaft (6) associated to centrifuging bowl (2) or said drive(7) of shaft (5) associated to cone (1) so that the appliance operatesas a squeezing-centrifuging appliance, only as a squeezing appliance oronly as a centrifuging appliance.
 7. Squeezing appliance according tothe claim 1, characterized in that said drives (7, 8) of shafts (5, 6)respectively associated to cone (1) and bowl (2) are coupled to a singleelectric motor (9).
 8. Squeezing appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that said drives (7, 8) of shafts (5, 6) respectivelyassociated to cone (1) and bowl (2) are coupled to respective electricmotors (10 and 11).
 9. Squeezing appliance according to claim 7,characterized in that said drives (7 and 8) are such that the rotatingdirections of shafts (5, 6) respectively associated to cone (1) and bowl(2) are opposite.
 10. Squeezing appliance according to claim 7,characterized in that said drives (7 and 8) are such that the rotatingdirections of shafts (5, 6) respectively associated to cone (1) and bowl(2) are same.
 11. Squeezing appliance according to claim 7,characterized in that the linear speed at the basis of the periphery ofsaid cone (1) is lower than the linear speed at the periphery of saidcentrifuging bowl (2).
 12. Squeezing appliance according to claim 7,characterized in that said electric motor (9) operates either by directcoupling or through at least one demultiplication drive, a secondaryshaft (13) attached thereto driving wheels (7 a, 8 a) of respectivedrives (7, 8) rotate which respectively couple follower wheels (7 b, 8b) attached to respective shafts (5, 6).
 13. Squeezing applianceaccording to claim 12, characterized in that said driving and followerwheels (7 a, 7 b) of drive (7) of shaft (5) associated to cone (1) are apair of interconnected gear wheels while said driving and followerwheels (8 a, 8 b) of drive (8) of shaft (6) associated to bowl (2) are apair of pulleys connected by a belt (8 c).
 14. Squeezing applianceaccording to claim 13, characterized in that said gearing drive (7) ofshaft (5) associated to cone (1) carries out a speed demultiplicationwith an increase of the torque with respect to secondary shaft (13)while said drive (8) by belt of shaft (6) associated to bowl (2) carriesout a speed multiplication with a decrease of the torque with respect tosecondary shaft (13).
 15. Squeezing appliance according to claim 13,characterized in that said driving pulley (8 a) is coupled to saidsecondary shaft (13) through an axial coupling with the driving wheel (7a), which in turn is coupled to said secondary shaft (13) integrally asfor the rotation but sliding in the axial direction thereof, a devicebeing provided for moving driving wheel (7 a), along secondary shaft(13) a length sufficient not to ungear follower wheel (7 b) butsufficient for coupling/uncoupling said axial coupling between drivingpulley (8 a) and driving wheel (7 a).
 16. Squeezing appliance accordingto claim 15, characterized in that said device for moving the drivingwheel (7 a) comprises an electromechanical actuator activated by anexternal switch.
 17. Squeezing appliance according to claim 15,characterized in that said device for moving driving wheel (7 a)comprises a lever (14) hand operated from outside.
 18. Squeezingappliance according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises anexternal switch for activating/deactivating said motor (11) driving theshaft (6) associated to centrifuging bowl (2) or an external switch foractivating/deactivating said motor (10) driving shaft (5) associated tocone (1) or an external selector for selectively deactivating any of thetwo motors (10, 11).
 19. Squeezing appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that said collecting container (4 a) shows a deeperperipheral area which is arranged surrounding at least part of housing(16), said collecting container (4 a) being removable for pouring thecollected juice and for cleaning said container.
 20. Squeezing applianceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said collecting container (4b) has at an area of its bottom close to the periphery an outlet holewhich ends in a side hollow recess of housing (16) adapted for placing acontainer, such as a glass (15), said collecting container (4 a) beingremovable for its cleaning.
 21. Squeezing appliance according to claim1, characterized in that a pushbutton (12) connecting to the mains ispressed by shaft (5) by means of an axial downwards push movement oncone (1) carried out by hand application of a portion of citrus fruit tobe squeezed.